British Transport Police and West Yorkshire Police join community groups in Leeds to Mark International Migrants Day (18 Dec 2017)

Imagine being abused because of the language you speak, what you
wear, where you were born or what you believe in. Awful, right?

Sadly in our communities people are being subjected to such
behaviour. Abusing people in this way can be a crime - a hate
crime.

Today (18/12) is International Migrants Day and officers and
staff will join community groups and organisations from across the
city at Leeds station to stand together to reinforce the message
that we won't tolerate hate crime anywhere. Everyone has the right
to live and travel in our society whatever their race, religion,
disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other
perceived difference.

We are proud that Yorkshire is a diverse and multicultural
region, which welcomes people from all over the world. We are also
proud that millions of people from all cultures and walks of life
live here and very few become a victim of crime.

However, some minority groups, including asylum seekers and
migrants, are sadly targeted, abused, harassed or even assaulted
because of who they are, how they speak, what they look like or
what they believe in.

This is not acceptable and we take every report we receive
extremely seriously - we investigate them thoroughly and support
every single victim.

As part of the day officers and staff from British Transport
Police and West Yorkshire Police will be at the station talking to
passengers, rail staff and members of the public handing out
leaflets, raising awareness of hate crime and providing practical
advice on what you should do if you do become a victim or witness a
hate crime.

If you are subjected to hate crime, we want you to report any
incidents to us so that we can help.

We don't want language to be a barrier, which is why we've
produced hate crime leaflets in 20 different languages to provide
information on what a hate crime is and how to report it.

The multi lingual leaflets will be displayed at key locations
accessible by people from our diverse communities from across the
region.

This particular event continues to support the Home Office
campaign 'Action against Hate', The UK Government's plan for
tackling hate crime, launched in 2016.

Chief Inspector Lorna McEwan from British Transport Police said,
"As part of BTP's We Stand Together campaign - an initiative
designed to stamp out hate crime and incidents on public transport,
we are actively encouraging people to come forward to report hate
crime to us.

"We work closely with West Yorkshire Police and this event is
all about us telling people that there is never any excuse for hate
crime.

"It's important that we can reach out to all the diverse
communities we serve and we hope that by providing advice and
information in different languages will increase confidence in the
police and encourage people to come forward if they are victims so
we can investigate and provide them with support.

"Wherever you are from or whatever language you speak, if you
are a victim of hate crime, or if you witness an incident that
makes you feel uncomfortable, please do not suffer in silence -
report it to us and we will do everything we can to help."

West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson,
said:

"Hate crime is unacceptable and it is a Force priority to
support those who fall victim to it and to take action against
those who commit it.

"It is important victims have the confidence to come forward and
report what has happened to them - if you tell us what has happened
we will listen and we will take action.

"I am proud that we are taking part in the event to mark
International Migrants Day. By joining with partners we can help to
make a real difference."